Join Our State on our Douro with Spain River Cruise. The Douro is known as the River of Gold. Some say it earned this nickname because of the way the sun’s setting rays turn the blue-grey Portuguese waters a golden hue. Others say it is because the river was the main method of transport for wine, olives, and almonds, which was the area’s source of wealth. Either way, the dramatic scenery along the banks will serve as an enchanting backdrop to our tour through Portugal.
October 21 – 29, 2024
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (pricing may differ per airport)
- Seven-night cruise with outside cabin aboard the MS Amalia Rodrigues
- Twenty meals: seven breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners
- Open bar onboard – wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea (premium drinks excluded)
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All sightseeing per itinerary
- All admissions per itinerary
- Professional tour director and ship staff
- Our State host
- Motor coach transportation
- Roundtrip ship transfers
- Baggage handling at the ship
- International taxes, fuel, and port charges
Itinerary Highlights:
- Six Excursions
- Porto City Tour and Wine Tasting
- Porto by Night
- Lamego Tour
- Guimarães Tour
- Vila Real and the Mateus Palace Tour
- Salamanca, Spain Full-Day Excursion with tour, lunch, and leisure time
- Onboard Entertainment, including Fado, Flamenco, and Folklore
- Optional Wine Trails of Porto excursion
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 – DEPART U.S. – OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Day 2 – ARRIVE PORTO – VILLA NOVA DE GAIA – BOARD SHIP
Meet your Premier World Discovery tour director, transfer to your ship, and board the MS Amalia Rodrigues for your seven-night Douro River Cruise.
THE SHIP – MS AMALIA RODRIQUES
This ship’s interior pays homage to the Queen of Fado, Amalia Rodrigues, the famous Portuguese singer and actress. The warm terracotta tones reflect the streets in Lisbon and the accessories the fadista wore on stage. Light-hued woods and wicker are reminiscent of the guitars that are part of the genuine southern Portuguese spirit. Christened in 2019, this Superior-category ship offers ample space in each cabin and public areas. Large picture windows on the upper and middle decks display the magnificent scenery as the ship cruises. The upper deck has two suites with a private terrace while the middle deck has two junior suites.
Onboard fun, music, and dancing happen in the lounge on the middle deck, where a cozy patio provides great views. The sun deck has a small pool, lounge chairs, and great scenery. The ship has a small elevator that travels between the upper, middle, and main decks. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you.
Welcome drink and welcome dinner onboard
Evening – Porto by Night Tour (1 hour)
Meals: D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 3 – PORTO – REGUA
Morning – Porto City Tour and Wine Tasting (4 hours)
Afternoon – Cruising through the landscapes of the Douro Valley
Evening – Arrive in Regua – Ship overnights in Regua
PORTO
Spread along the banks of the Douro River, Porto’s history and development are closely linked to the river. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal.
Enjoy a Porto by Night Tour and a Porto City Tour. On your city tour, travel across the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, see the historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and drive by typical houses of the city. Discover the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building), built in 1834 by the city’s Commercial Association and still their headquarters. Later, visit the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), also known as the “Golden Church.” Enjoy a visit to one of the port wine cellars for a Wine Tasting and see the old casks full of port, the world-famous Portuguese wine.
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 4 – REGUA – VEGA DE TERRON
Morning – Vila Réal and the Mateus Palace Tour (4 hours)
Afternoon – Cruising to Vega de Terron and overnight Our State experience onboard
Evening – Flamenco entertainment onboard ship
VILA RÉAL and THE MATEUS PALACE
Visit Vila Réal, a small, hilly town with a great variety of religious buildings and architecture, founded in 1289 by King Denis of Portugal. Visit the Mateus Palace, built in the 18th century and set in beautiful gardens on a vast farm and considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal.
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 5 – SALAMANCA, SPAIN and BARCA D’ALVA
Full Day – Motorcoach into Spain for a Salamanca city tour with lunch and leisure time (10.5 hours total) – Ship Overnights in Barca d’Alva
SALAMANCA, SPAIN
Motorcoach into Spain to visit Salamanca, a city of dazzling beauty with extraordinary architectural treasures and rich tradition. The Salamanca City Tour includes the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the University, founded in 1218. See the Gothic ‘New’ Cathedral, constructed in the 16th century to replace the 12th century original. The full-day tour includes lunch and leisure time in Salamanca.
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 6 – BARCA D’ALVA – FERRADOSA – PINHAO
Morning – Cruising enroute to Pinhao
Afternoon – Optional Wine Trails of Porto and Wine Tasting (4 hours)
Gala Dinner onboard ship – Ship overnights in Pinhao
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 7- PINHAO – PORTO
Morning – Lamego Tour (4 hours)
Afternoon – Cruising
LAMEGO
Enjoy a Lamego Tour, a small, picturesque old town rich in history and charm. Its 18th century Cathedral Sanctuary is an important place of pilgrimage in Portugal. The large cathedral overlooks the town from the hilltop and features an impressive staircase with 686 steps beautifully decorated with panels of blue and white tile.
Evening – Fado Entertainment onboard ship – Ship overnights in Porto
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 8 – PORTO
Morning – Leisure time in Porto
Afternoon – Guimarães Tour (4 hours)
GUIMARÃES
Guimarães is a university town and municipality located in northern Portugal, in the district of Braga. Its historic town center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, in recognition for being an “exceptionally well-preserved and an authentic European example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town.”
Evening – Traditional folk entertainment onboard ship
Meals: B, L & D
Overnight: Amalia Rodrigues
Day 9 – PORTO – FLIGHT HOME
Transfer to the Porto Airport for your flight home or Lisbon Extension
Meals: B
More information about the MS Amalia Rodriques
ALL MEALS and DRINKS INCLUDED ONBOARD
The restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise (except Salamanca lunch) and it seats all guests in one seating. The atmosphere is casual but elegant with splendid views of the passing scenic landscapes through the picture windows. All drinks while onboard at meals and at the bar are included (open bar). The open bar feature includes wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea, with some premium drinks excluded.
STATEROOMS (145 sq ft & 129 sq ft)
Staterooms feature two twin beds that can be separated or put together, flat screen TV, private bath with shower, hair dryer, closet, ship phone, desk, chair, and safe. Staterooms have 220V outlets, so a simple adapter works for most devices. Stateroom size and amenities can vary.
Category A & B feature French Balconies on the Upper & Middle Decks with 145 square feet.
Category C features French Balconies on the Middle Deck with 129 square feet.
Categories D & E have a small window and are on the Main Deck. Cat D offers 145 sq ft and Cat E offers 129 sq ft.
SUITES WITH TERRACE (204 sq ft)
JUNIOR SUITES (166 sq ft)
Two suites on the Upper Deck feature a private terrace with 204 square feet. Two junior suites on the Middle Deck are larger rooms with 166 square feet and a premium ship location. The suites and junior suites feature two twin beds that can be separated or put together, flat screen TV, private bath with shower, hairdryer, closet, ship phone, desk, chair, and safe. Suites have 220V outlets, so a simple adapter works for most devices. Suite sizes and amenities can vary.
Tour Rates:
Pricing starts at $5295* per person based on double occupancy. The location of your selected stateroom determines price. Single supplement starts at $1600.
*Make your final payment by check prior to the final payment due date of July 23, 2024, and receive a $200 per person / $400 per couple booking discount.
For reservations or more information:
Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com
Optional Three-Night Lisbon Post-Cruise Extension
Expenses: $995 per person double occupancy, $550 single supplement
Note: Extension must be booked with your initial $600 pp tour deposit. Due to group air policies outbound air could be a different schedule than the rest of your group for the Extension passengers. Based on 20 passengers.
DAY 9 – PORTO – SINTRA – LISBON
Head south to visit Sintra, one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns featuring the famous colorful Pena Palace, gardens, and tiled villas surrounded by rolling hills and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Later, arrive in enchanting Lisbon for a three-night stay featuring white limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and an easy-going charm.
Meals: B (onboard ship)
Overnight: Lisbon
DAY 10 – LISBON SIGHTSEEING
Today, enjoy a Lisbon City Tour featuring the Moorish Alfama Quarter, Monument to the Discoveries, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Belem Tower, and Jeronimo’s Monastery. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy Lisbon.
Meals: B
Overnight: Lisbon
DAY 11 – ÓBIDOS, NAZARÉ & FÁTIMA
Today, enjoy a day of touring featuring rich heritage and stunning countryside as you explore Óbidos, Nazaré, and Fátima. Visit the small, medieval town of Óbidos, glimpse into a fisherman’s life in the seaside village of Nazaré, and marvel at the ornate architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Batalha Monastery. Also visit a significant Christian pilgrimage site, Fátima.
Meals: B
Overnight: Lisbon
DAY 12 – TRANSFER TO LISBON AIRPORT – FLIGHT HOME
Lisbon Optional Extension includes three nights at a hotel in Lisbon, transfer from Porto to Lisbon, Lisbon City Tour, Sintra visit, Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos tour, three breakfasts, tour director, and transfers to Lisbon Airport.
Meals: B
Additional Information:
What to expect on an Our State trip:
Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.
We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.
You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.
Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.
Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.
One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
Physical requirements:
Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.
Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.
Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.
We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.
